The Bigger Picture: Deep frost causing tens of thousands of dollars in water service repairs in Fox Cities

8:25 AM,
Feb. 24, 2014

Appleton firefighters and workers from the Appleton Department of Public Works on the scene of a water main break on Franklin St. January 28, 2014 in Appleton, Wis. The Appleton Public Library was closed as a result of the break. Wm.Glasheen/Post-Crescent Media

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As snow piles up across the Fox Valley, public works and water utilities directors are worried about what lurks below the surface - frost.

Stephen Thompson, New London Utilities general manager, said the deep frost has already caused a slew of broken water mains and frozen service lines and created a long list of residents required to constantly run their water this year. He only expects it to get worse if the ground does not gradually thaw out.

"This is probably the worst I've seen and I've been at this for 42 years," Thompson said. "We're going to end up spending some money this year." ...